title: Glycemic control in young children with diabetes: the role of parental health literacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross sectional study examined the relationship between parental health literacy (HL), diabetes related numeracy, and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy on glycemic control in a sample of young children with Type 1 DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy primary caregivers of children (age 3-9 years) with Type 1 DM were recruited and surveyed at diabetes outpatient clinic visits. Patients' medical histories were obtained by medical chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parental diabetes related numeracy (r=-.52, p<01), but not reading skills (r=-.25, p=NS) were inversely correlated with the child's glycemic control (HbA1c). Parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy was also negatively correlated to their child's HbA1c (r=-.47, p<01). When numeracy and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy were included as predictors of HbA1c, the model was significant (F=12.93, p<.01) with both numeracy (β=-.46, p<.01) and parental perceived diabetes self-efficacy (β=-.36, p=.01) as significant predictors of HbA1c.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from this study highlight the importance of considering the role of parental numeracy, in health outcomes for children with Type 1 DM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practitioners should assess parental health literacy and consider intervention when needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA. Electronic address: epulgaron@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Pulgarón
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.
authors.forename: Lee M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Patiño-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wile
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA.
authors.forename: Russell L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Delamater
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: Children; Glycemic control; Health literacy; Numeracy; Parents; Type 1 diabetes